EU Places Temporary Duties On Chinese Aluminum Wheel Imports

BRUSSELS, May 12 -- The European Commission Tuesday said it will place temporary import duties on aluminum wheels imported from China.

The duties, announced in the European Union's Official Journal, will be 20.6% and last for at least six months while the commission, the EU's executive arm, investigates if long-term duties are necessary. The duties will come into force Wednesday.

The share of Chinese imports in the EU aluminum wheel market rose from 6.3% in 2006 to 12.4% in the 12 months ending July 2009, mirroring a sharp increase in Chinese imports in other goods. The main users of the product are automakers.